Just like his longtime rival and good buddy Zack Ryder did this past Friday Night on SmackDown, Dolph Ziggler made his return to WWE Monday night on Raw.
The Showoff arrived at Madison Square Garden in New York City to take the final spot in John Cena’s The ‘Last Time is Now’ Tournament. The winner of which will take on The ‘Greatest of All-Time’ in his retirement match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13 in the Nation’s Capital.
The roof nearly blew off the world’s most famous arena when Ziggler’s music hit and he was announced as the surprise first-round opener for Solo Sikoa. The more than 18,000 people in attendance were fully behind the former World Heavyweight Champion as he competed in his first match in WWE in over two years.
OH. MY. GOD.
DOLPH ZIGGLER IS SOLO SIKOA’S SURPRISE OPPONENT!!! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/AxQ5sqYhTQ
— WWE (@WWE) November 18, 2025
Ziggler had a 19-year run with WWE than came to an end when he was released from his contract in September 2023. He’s been wrestling under his legal name of Nic Nemeth ever since, making appearances for multiple independent promotions and NJPW.
Nemeth made his debut for TNA Wrestling in January 2023 and went on to capture the TNA World Heavyweight Championship and the TNA World Tag Team Championships with his brother Ryan Nemeth.
Dolph nearly won his match against Sikoa Monday night after connecting with a Zig Zag, but Sikoa just got his shoulder up at two. He’d then catch Ziggler with a surprise Samoan Spike to pick up the win, much to the chagrin of The Garden.
Solo Sikoa & Gunther move on to round two in The ‘Last Time is Now’ Tournament
Solo Sikoa | WWE.com
With the victory, Solo Sikoa joins LA Knight, Sheamus, Rusev and Jey Uso in the tournament quarterfinals. The former Tribal Chief owns one of the more dominant victories over John Cena in his Hall of Fame career, essentially squashing the reigning Men’s Intercontinental Champion at WWE Crown Jewel 2023. He’s three more wins away from getting the opportunity to do it again.
Former World Heavyweight Champion Gunther also punched his ticket to the second round when he knocked off the always impressive Je’Von Evans.
The 21-year-old stud from NXT took The Ring General to the limit and put on an absolute show worthy of the bright lights of New York City, but Gunther eventually grounded the high-flyer with a sleeper hold to score the submission victory.
.@WWEJeVonEvans is putting on a show!!! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/E77dIb3Aut
— WWE (@WWE) November 18, 2025
The final two opening round matches will take place this Friday on SmackDown when Finn Balor takes on Penta and Carmelo Hayes battles Big Bronson Reed. The winners of those matches will face Gunther and Sikoa, respectively, next Monday night on WWE Raw.
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